American Adoptions -- America's Adoption Agency

Federal Family and Medical Leave Act

Many adoptive families are concerned about adoption maternity leave or paternity leave. First, because they need to plan to stay in the state where their child is born for an average of 7 to 10 business days to comply with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). And second, because they understandably desire additional adoption maternity or paternity time with their child when they get to bring him or her home.

While most employers recognize adoption maternity leave just as they would for a pregnant employee, there is a federal act that helps ensure that you get to enjoy your first weeks with your little one, away from the workplace.

Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, first passed in 1993, unpaid leave is available for adoptive families. FMLA allows individuals, working for qualified employers, to take up to 12 weeks of leave from work. Although this time is unpaid, you will receive benefits and will not jeopardize your employment.

Leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act is not only an adoption benefit, as it is available to anyone who works for a company with 50 or more employees. However, it is a wonderful resource for new adoptive families to take time off work for adoption during ICPC and their first few weeks home with their child.

Donny, Jodi, Bodey and Jasper's Adoption Story

Our Adoption Story began July 26, 2006, the day we brought home our 6 week old little boy, Bodey Alexander. Our lives changed forever that day. I truly feel God blesses the people who adopt in such a special way. Not only did we adopt our son, but we got a whole new amazing family in the process.

You see we agreed to open adoption. At the time we were not 100 percent sure what to expect or what we were getting into - we just knew we were doing what was best for Bodey. It ended up being the best thing we have ever done.

Fast forward to January 2009. We decided it was time to start the adoption journey once again. The first thing we needed to do was find a new agency to use. Feeling like pros at the adoption process, we thought this was going to be smooth sailing. Finding an agency that you trust, has a good rating and is ethically successful in placing babies was not as easy as we thought. It was not until we talked to Wade at American Adoptions that we finally felt our dreams of adding to our family were finally going to come true.